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Member Ana Paula Pimentel Walker Showcases Center-Funded Research at G20 Social Summit in Brazil

Ana Paula Pimentel Walker presented her groundbreaking research project titled "Linking Design Research for Passive Cooling Strategies in Self-Built Homes with Low-Income Communities to Improve Health Outcomes from Extreme Heat at the 2024 G20 Social Summit in Brazil

In an exciting event that highlighted the critical role of civil society in global discourse, Ana Paula Pimentel Walker from the University of Michigan recently participated in the G20 Social Summit. Pimentel Walker, a faculty member at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, is a member of the Center for Global Health Equity. The summit event, held from November 14 to 16 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was convened by the Brazilian presidency of the G20 to increase the participation of non-governmental stakeholders in G20 activities and decision-making processes. 

Pimentel Walker presented her groundbreaking research project titled "Linking Design Research for Passive Cooling Strategies in Self-Built Homes with Low-Income Communities to Improve Health Outcomes from Extreme Heat," which received funding from the center. The project exemplifies an interdisciplinary collaboration among University of Michigan scholars, bringing together experts from various fields to address the pressing issue of climate-induced heat stress in vulnerable communities. 

The research team includes: 

This multidisciplinary group worked in close partnership with representatives from global institutions such as the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna, Alcaldia de Bucaramanga, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Peabiru Trabalhos Comunitários e Ambientais, Central de Movimentos Populares, União dos Movimentos de Moradia de São Paulo, and the Global Heat Health Information Network. 

During her presentation at a workshop titled "The Impact of Climate Change on Evictions and the Fulfillment of the Right to Adequate Housing and the City," Pimentel Walker discussed innovative strategies for passive cooling in self-built homes, highlighting their potential to significantly improve health outcomes in low-income communities exposed to extreme heat. The event, organized by the Union of Housing Movements (UMM-SP) in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Cities, saw an impressive turnout of nearly 300 attendees, emphasizing the importance of the issues at hand. 

Pimentel Walker discussed ongoing initiatives on climate justice in informal and precarious settlements, addressing critical topics such as reforestation, native plant nurseries, and the intermittent access to water and sanitation in these areas. The research aims to produce solutions that are both effective and sustainable, aiming to improve the quality of life for residents in these vulnerable communities. Apart from her presentation, Pimentel Walker participated in the final public discussions of other summit initiatives, including contributing to the final language of the Tropical Forest Fund proposal. Her hands-on approach and dedication to environmental sustainability and participatory development reflect her commitment to driving meaningful global change.

The rotating presidency of the G20 ensures that diverse perspectives are consistently incorporated into the dialogue, benefiting from the insights and expertise of interdisciplinary teams like that led by Pimentel Walker. 

Pimentel Walker’s involvement in the G20 Social Summit underscores not only her extensive expertise but also the substantial impact her collaborative efforts are having on tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges. By integrating design research with community engagement, her work epitomizes the transformative power of interdisciplinary collaboration in improving global health equity.